CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Some of the unbeaten Carolina Panthers got in some bonding time away from the football field on Thursday night and went to the see the premiere of the new ''Star Wars'' movie.
Panthers center Ryan Kalil says about 20 players made the trip - mostly offensive linemen and their ''younger brothers'' linebacker Luke Kuechly and tight end Greg Olsen.
Kalil had ''Purrbacca'' T-shirts printed featuring the ''Star Wars'' character Chewbacca made into the Panthers logo. The shirts are being sold online with proceeds benefiting Olsen's HEARTest Yard Foundation.
Kalil, a self-proclaimed huge ''Star Wars'' fan, rented out a theater in the Charlotte months ago in preparation for the movie's release. Only players attended with Kalli calling it a ''complete nerd man-date.''
Carolina (13-0) visits the New York Giants on Sunday.
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